D.C. United learns MLS is Back Tournament draw

D.C. United finally knows when its next game is. Major League Soccer conducted the draw for its return-to-play event, which has been dubbed the MLS is Back Tournament. In today’s draw, United was placed in Group C, where they will face Toronto FC, the New England Revolution, and the Montreal Impact.

United’s schedule, along with the rest of the league’s beyond the opening game, was not announced. According to a release from the team, the schedule will be finalized in the coming days.

In a move that almost feels traditional for the league, MLS announced the details about the draw yesterday, only to then make one alteration earlier today. Orlando, as “host” of the event, was placed as the top seed in Group A well in advance of today’s draw. However, the league’s choice to place Inter Miami in the second spot in Group A (ensuring a Florida derby to kick the tournament off) was only announced hours before the draw.

United has not faced any of its Group C opponents in 2020. In the first two weekends of the MLS season thus far, all four clubs are on pretty even footing. Montreal picked up 4 points, beating the Revolution 2-1 in their season opener before getting a 2-2 draw at FC Dallas. On the surface, that’s a solid result, but the Impact lead 2-0 until very late, giving away goals in the 83rd minute and in stoppage time. Montreal has more competitive games played this year than anyone else in Group C. In the CONCACAF Champions League, they knocked out Deportivo Saprissa on away goals in the round of 16, before losing the first leg of their quarterfinal 2-1 at home against CD Olimpia.

United has faced Montreal in 2020, though it was all the way back in January. In the Black-and-Red’s first preseason test, they fell 3-1 to the Impact, with draft pick Josh Fawole (now on the books at Loudoun United) scoring late for DCU.

TFC was also able to pick up 4 points as well, and in similar fashion. The Reds were up 2-0 on opening day against the San Jose Earthquakes, only to walk away with a 2-2 draw thanks to a stoppage-time equalizer by the home team. Toronto won their only home game 1-0 over NYCFC.

New England, meanwhile, only got 1 point to start the season. Along with their season-opening loss against the Impact, they dropped points at home in a 1-1 draw with the Chicago Fire. In both games, the Revs took the lead in the first half only to concede after halftime.

This post will update with a full schedule when the league settles those details.